Module overview
The global nature of economic, social and cultural relationships and processes has been a major theme of sociological analysis over recent decades. Debates have centred on the content and extent of globalisation, its drivers and consequences for global inequalities. Some commentators emphasise homogenising dynamics, but the continuation of distinct national and local pathways is increasingly highlighted too. Simultaneous with these debates, post-colonial critiques of classical and contemporary social theory raise fundamental questions about its suitability for understanding these global complexities. Historically-informed scholarship has emphasised how global colonial relations, historical trade and indentured labour flows co-constituted European modernity through colonial power and extraction processes.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of a range of key sociological theories and concepts relevant to the analysis of global social change and inequalities
- demonstrate an ability to use theories and concepts to understand specific empirical examples
- show knowledge of the conflicts and complementarities between the perspectives considered
- use national and/or local examples or comparisons to explain and assess the utility of the theories and concepts considered on the module
- display subject-specific and transferable skills relevant to a range of associated careers in the public or private sector
- evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the approaches considered and their implications for how global social change is studied
Syllabus
1/ A global sociology? What is it? What does it involve?
This session will provide an overview of how social sciences have addressed key changes and challenges accompanying globalisation and how sociology has analysed these in comparison with other social sciences. We will pay particular attention to how the discipline has evolved beyond the Global North, particularly in response to decolonising perspectives, and causes and consequences of moving beyond a national orientation in Sociology.
2-3/ Where are we now and how did we get here? Modernisation, colonialism and global divisions
These two sessions will explore in detail how societies have evolved from pre-modern times through different stages of global integration to current processes of globalisation, deterritorialization and global mobilities. Engaging with historically-informed scholarships, we will explore the emergence of capitalism, the impact of colonial domination by European empires and the consequences of these processes for the societies in the North and South. Students will be invited to reflect on specific contexts and case studies with the assigned readings.
4-5/ Income/class inequalities – global perspectives.
Developments in social theory (classical to contemporary) related to global/international empirical examples
These two sessions will explore how Sociology has addressed social inequalities based on income, wealth and social class. We will pay particular attention to different notions of class and income inequality from classical to contemporary theories, the shifts in class identities, new forms of precarity, and global inequalities. Students will be invited to reflect on specific contexts and case studies with the assigned readings.
6-7/ Gender/sexuality inequalities – global perspectives
Developments in social theory (classical to contemporary) related to global/international empirical examples
These two sessions will look at gender and sexuality as key variables structuring inequalities from a global perspective. We will study how masculinities and femininities are being revisited in different contexts, the shifts in and beyond binary understandings of gender, and the emerging social movements for and by LGBTQ+ people in the Global North and South. We will invite students to think of power relations and the intersections of gender with other forms of inequality such as class, race and sexuality. Students will be invited to reflect on specific contexts and case studies with the assigned readings.
8-9/ Race/ethnicity – global perspectives
Developments in social theory (classical to contemporary) related to global/international empirical examples
These two sessions will invite students to think of race, racism and ethnicity in social theory and to critically engage with how Sociology has addressed this topic in relation to concepts such as nationalism, whiteness, colonialism and (racial) capitalism. We will engage with case studies that will illustrate the different understandings of race and ethnicity, and racial hierarchies across the globe and the importance of intersectionality as a key too to explore inequalities.
10/ Recap and assignment preparation- this session will offer an overview of the module with key wrap-up points and will provide detailed feedback on the final assessment.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Each session will be structured around student-led content. There will be a short presentation by the lecturer on the key debates, and the framing of the topic. Groups of students will be assigned readings. They will collaborate based on their topic response papers in summarising these readings in the sessions (see feedback and assessment methods below).
Guest speakers (internal or external) will be invited on specific topics for some of the two-session topics. This will include, where possible, professionals working in an allied field of employment. Alumni will be investigated as source of speakers for such sessions
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 130 |
Seminar | 20 |
Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assessed written tasks | 30% |
Case study | 70% |